‘Rape culture’ does exist

In response to Steve Smith’s “Family Time” column (“Disgusted public

and radio host get on record”) Saturday, in which he writes, “ ... I

don’t live in a rape culture, and I don’t know anyone who does,”

let’s look at some statistics.

One out of six American women will experience attempted or

completed rape in their lifetime, according to statistics from the

Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network website. Many rapes go

unreported because the victim fears she will not be believed. And our

culture confirms her fear.

That same website states that out of the 39% of rapes that are

reported, there is a 50.8% chance that an actual arrest will be made.

It states that of the 50.8% of arrests, there is an 80% chance that

the alleged rapist will be prosecuted. Out of that 80%, only 58%

percent of those charged will be convicted of a felony. And out of

that 58%, only 69% of rapists will actually spend time in jail. When

factoring in all additional unreported rapes, this means that only 1

out of 16, or 6% of rapists, will ever spend a day in jail. Fifteen

out of 16 will walk free.

Why does this happen? For the very reasons that I stated in my

letter (“Trial a blatant case of sexism”) last Thursday. We blame the

victim, and in doing so, cause additional trauma in which the victim

is subject to intense humiliation, judgment and additional cruelty.

Some victims have labeled the process of reporting sexual assault, “a

second rape.”

And further, although Smith denies that he or anybody he knows

lives in a rape culture, he continues on to say that “sex is talked

about in casual, unhealthy terms, leaving young people to believe

that promiscuity and deviance such as that performed by the boys is

mainstream and is OK.”

He also mentions the inappropriateness of an offensive rap song

playing where young children can hear the lyrics. I agree with Smith.

And although he does not think he lives in a rape culture, these

songs are all its products.

Finally, when I say that sex is not talked about, I say that we do

not talk about it enough in schools or in the home so that kids have

a strong foundation before being exposed to all of the dysfunctional

sexual messages that they will surely encounter in the future. I

believe that it is important to be responsible in our statements by

educating ourselves before forming an opinion.

My opinion rests on disturbing data that I have encountered over

and over again while studying psychology and social behavior. If

these issues do not suggest a rape culture, then I don’t know what

would.

SHANNON CURRY

Newport Beach